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Hotel Front Desk Clerks

(NOC 6525)

Hotel front desk clerks make room reservations, provide information and services to guests and receive payment for services. They are employed by hotels, motels and resorts.

Job Outlook

Average

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Estimate decline employment change, 2017-2019

Estimate 5 openings due to growth and retirements, 2017-2019

Estimate High rate of unemployment in 2016

Compared to: All Sales and Service

Estimate Decline slightly employment change, 2017-2019

Estimate 5260 openings due to growth and retirements, 2017-2019

Estimate Moderate rate of unemployment in 2016

The employment outlook over the next few years for this occupational group is “average”, which indicates the chances of a qualified individual finding work is comparable to the average for all occupations in Nova Scotia. This is a moderate sized occupation in Nova Scotia so some job opportunities may occur through turnover. The number employed in this occupation is expected to decline moderately over the next few years, which will likely limit the number of new opportunities available. With a large percent of workers being 55 years of age and older, retirements are expected to be a key contributor to employment opportunities over the coming years. Hotel Front Desk Clerks most commonly work full-time hours. Furthermore, the jobs may either be permanent or temporary positions, as both are common. With employment conditions being seasonal in nature, periods of downtime or layoff throughout the year are fairly common.

The median employment income for 38% of Hotel Front Desk Clerks who worked full-time, year-round in 2015 was $26,113. Across all occupations in Nova Scotia, 59% of those who worked full-time year round had a median employment income of $43,600.
(Source: 2016 Census)

Hourly Pay

$11.00

Minimum

$12.82

Median

$15.00

Maximum

Annual Pay

$5,812

Minimum

$15,605

Median

$30,804

Maximum

Compared to: All Sales and Service

Hourly Pay

$10.70

Minimum

$12.50

Median

$21.17

Maximum

Annual Pay

$2,949

Minimum

$16,629

Median

$45,086

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

Hotel front desk clerks make room reservations, provide information and services to guests and receive payment for services. They are employed by hotels, motels and resorts.

Job duties

Hotel front desk clerks perform some or all of the following duties:

Maintain an inventory of vacancies, reservations and room assignments.

Register arriving guests and assign rooms.

Answer enquiries regarding hotel services and registration by letter, by telephone and in person, provide information about services available in the community and respond to guests' complaints.

Compile and check daily record sheets, guest accounts, receipts and vouchers using computerized or manual systems.

Present statements of charges to departing guests and receive payment.

Sample job titles

guest service representative

hotel clerk

hotel concierge

hotel front desk clerk

hotel night auditor

hotel receptionist

night auditor - hotel

reception clerk - hotel

reservations clerk - hotel

Skills

For this type of work, you should be poised, organized, tactful, and patient. Interpersonal skills and the ability to deal comfortably with strangers are important. You should be resourceful and able to handle the unexpected. Good communication skills are also necessary. Knowledge of both official languages and an additional language may be required.

Job requirements

Completion of high school or equivalent is usually required.

Completion of a two-year apprenticeship program, or a college program in front desk operations or hotel management may be required.

Guest service trade certification is available, but voluntary, through the Nova Scotia Tourism Human Resource Council.

Other considerations

Many of these jobs are heavily influenced by tourism activity in Nova Scotia; therefore, employment levels tend to vary throughout the year and peak in the summer months. Also, general economic conditions will have an impact on the level of business and pleasure travel undertaken by Nova Scotians. Therefore, employment levels will vary from year to year in many of these jobs. Progression to senior positions such as accommodations manager is possible with additional training and experience.

By the numbers

Quick look

540

employed in 2016

76.5%

employed full-time

0.0%

self employed

75.6%

Icons/femaleCreated with Sketch.

24.4%

Icons/maleCreated with Sketch.

33.6

median age

Compared to: All Sales and Service

102,605

employed in 2016

59.4%

employed full-time

6.2%

self employed

60.1%

Icons/femaleCreated with Sketch.

39.9%

Icons/maleCreated with Sketch.

37

median age

Where will I likely work?

44.2%

Halifax

17.3%

Northern

17.3%

Cape Breton

11.5%

Southern

9.6%

Annapolis Valley

Compared to: All NS Occupations

47.0%

Halifax

15.6%

Northern

12.9%

Annapolis Valley

12.7%

Cape Breton

11.8%

Southern

Top Industries of Employment

100.0%

Accommodation and Food Services

What is the age of Employment?

29.4%

25-34

21.1%

35-44

20.2%

45-54

14.7%

15-24

11.0%

55-64

4.6%

65+

Compared to: All Sales and Service

35.7%

25-34

28.6%

35-44

21.4%

55-64

Top levels of education

36.9%

High school

N/A

30.9%

College certificate or diploma

N/A

18.8%

Bachelor's degree

N/A

4.7%

Less than high school

N/A

4.0%

Trades certificate

N/A

Compared to: All Sales and Service

40.4%

High school

$12,982 median annual income

19.9%

College certificate or diploma

$19,514 median annual income

18.8%

Less than high school

$9,486 median annual income

10.0%

Bachelor's degree

$20,807 median annual income

8.0%

Trades certificate

$18,797 median annual income

Education & training

Adult high school/secondary diploma programs

This program is typically offered at the high school level.

This instructional program class comprises any program that defines the prescribed requirements, specified by the appropriate jurisdiction, for the completion of and graduation from a secondary school program of academic subject matter offered for adult learners outside of the regular secondary school program. This does not include adult compensatory education programs resulting in completion of a high school equivalency certificate or diploma.

Hospitality administration/management - General

This program is typically offered at the college or university level.

This instructional program class comprises any program that prepares individuals to serve as general managers and directors of hospitality operations on a system-wide basis, including both travel arrangements and promotion and the provision of traveller facilities. These programs include courses in principles of operations in the travel and tourism, hotel and lodging facilities, food services, and recreation facilities industries; hospitality marketing strategies; hospitality planning; management and coordination of franchise and unit operations; business management; accounting and financial management; hospitality transportation and logistics; and hospitality industry policies and regulations.